Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) at ALL4
ALL4 IDEA is an action-based committee focused on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility at ALL4. We strive to create an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and included, regardless of their background, identity, or abilities. Our work is essential in promoting an inclusive culture of diversity, equity, and accessibility throughout the organization. The group meets monthly and is overseen by our Diversity Coordinator, Stephanie Thomas.
What We Do
Awareness Campaigns:
ALL4 IDEA organizes awareness campaigns throughout the year to educate employees about different aspects of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. These campaigns may include guest speaker events and interactive discussions as well as communications.
Book Club:
ALL4 IDEA hosts a quarterly book club in which all employees are welcome to participate. Examples of books to date include:
- Equity: How to Design Organizations Where Everyone Thrives by Minal Bopaiah
- Inclusify: The Power of Uniqueness and Belonging to Build Innovative Teams by Stefanie K. Johnson, PhD
Employee Resource Groups:
ALL4 IDEA supports and collaborates with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with the organizations they serve. The groups exist to provide support and help in personal or career development and to create a safe space where employees can bring their whole selves to the table.
Recruitment and Hiring Initiatives:
ALL4 IDEA actively participates in efforts to enhance diversity in the recruitment and hiring process. We identify strategies for attracting a wider pool of candidates from diverse backgrounds and ensure that the interview and selection process is equitable and unbiased.
Training and Development:
The group collaborates with the Talent Development team to develop and deliver training programs that foster a culture of inclusion and provide employees with the necessary tools and knowledge to promote an equitable and accessible workplace.
Professional Partnership
DAIS Partners, led by Jordan Steffy and Denis Sison, serves as a trusted advisor and valuable resource for ALL4, offering ongoing support and consultation on matters related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Their approach focuses on the business benefits that DEI can bring, such as growth, creativity, innovation, improved job acceptance rates, enhanced reputation, and Return on Investment (ROI).
One of the distinctive features of DAIS Partners is their commitment to providing a safe learning environment. They promote a culture of ‘no blaming and no shaming’, creating a space where individuals feel comfortable and empowered to learn, make mistakes, grow, and engage in constructive dialogue.
Through our partnership with DAIS Partners, ALL4 gains access to specialized knowledge and expertise in DEI. This enables the organization to accelerate its progress in fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace. With the guidance and support of DAIS Partners, ALL4 can navigate the complexities of DEI implementation, leverage the benefits of diversity, and ensure that their efforts align with their organizational goals and values.
Key Terms:
Inclusion: A dynamic state where individuals and groups feel safe, respected, engaged, motivated, and valued for who they are and for their contributions to organizational and societal goals.
Diversity: The differences – both visible and invisible – within a group or among groups of people. These differences can include but are not limited to, differences in gender, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, race, native or Indigenous origins, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief systems, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, appearance, language and accent, disability, mental health, education, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role and function, thinking style, and personality type. Note that while a group can be diverse, an individual is not “diverse.”
Equity: When all people have full and unbiased access to livelihood, education, participation in the political and cultural community, and other societal benefits. Equity recognizes our interdependence and uses our collective power to create an environment where we all thrive and contribute our strengths.
Accessibility: The design of environments, products, devices, and services so that people of various abilities can use them with ease, without faulting individuals for the ways in which they are different and instead emphasizing the rights of individuals with differences to be full and participating members of society.
*Definition source – Equity: How to Design Organizations Where Everyone Thrives by Minal Bopaiah
